Sarri admits Chelsea ‘didn’t play well’ in win over BATE

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has admitted he was not happy with how his side played in the first 45 minutes against BATE Borisov.

Olivier Giroud scored his first Chelsea goal in 794 minutes as the Blues progressed to the Europa League knockout stages with a 1-0 win at BATE Borisov.

Chelsea’s fourth win from as many Group L games – three of them now 1-0 – was played out in freezing fog and memorable only for France World Cup winner Giroud’s first Blues goal since May’s win over Liverpool.

BATE, comfortably beaten last month in London, struck the woodwork three times and Eden Hazard’s services were required for longer than anticipated in Belarus.

“The result, I think. We didn’t play very well. I didn’t like the first half. We moved it too slowly,” Sarri said.

“It was very difficult to be dangerous, better in the second half. We didn’t manage the last 15 minutes well.

“The best thing is the result. It wasn’t very easy to play a good game here, with the conditions. I think we could have done better.”

On Giroud ending his goal drought, Sarri added: “I am pleased for him. He is a very important for us.

“I know very well a striker wants to score. For his confidence I think it is very important.”

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